Category: Cars

On a recent visit to Melbourne I took the opportunity to visit 2 iconic motoring locations while I was there. Being a new owner of a Royal Enfield motorcycle I wanted to visit Mid Life Cycles to check out their bikes and buy some Royal Enfield merchandise to set the scene. So a 30 minute walk from our hotel, through the sporting precinct, past Rod Laver Arena and the mighty MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) on the Eastern side of the Melbourne CBD we arrived in Cremorne to have a look at the showroom.

Afterwards we walked a further 20 minutes to Richmond to find a warehouse in a back street across the railway line, that housed Dutton Garage. Here at Dutton Garage there were so many Supercars, Classic Cars and Sports Cars that I could not believe it. To top it off all these cars are for sale too. There were Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Ford Gt, Mustang and McLaren to name a few. Truly my dream garage.

After spending quite some time looking and dreaming it was time to head back into Melbourne with a nice walk along the Yarra River and into the Lonsdale Street Greek Festival for a good meal and to head home.

The best performing, most efficient and most comfortable truck in the light duty class.

The 300 Series offers a class-leading combination of power and torque, improved fuel efficiency, an impressive suite of safety features including Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) (an Australian first on light-duty trucks), and options like a true clutchless automatic transmission, rear view parking cameras and a truck-specific satellite navigation system.

With 67 models in total – including eight hybrid models, standard and wide cab variants, and the built-to-go SteelAce, TradeAce, WorkAce and Tipper range – Hino has a 300 Series light duty truck to suit your needs.

HINO 4.0-LITRE COMMON-RAIL DIESEL

Hino’s N04C turbo-diesel engine offers a class-leading combination of power and torque. The 4.0-litre engine is equipped with a common-rail fuel injection system and Variable Nozzle Turbo (VNT) technology to achieve lower emissions and uncompromised power and fuel efficiency.

The engine features a cooled exhaust-gas recirculation system and closed crankcase ventilation, while the Diesel Particulate Active Reduction System (DPR) system has an 800,000km service interval and an automatic self-cleaning system which begins when the filter is only at 30 per cent of overall capacity.

Injection pressures have been increased and an intercooler adopted, and the Hino engine has the added reliability of three fuel filters.

Wide cab manual models have 121kW of power at 2500rpm and 464Nm of torque at 1400rpm (N04C-UT), with a six-speed transmission.

Standard cab and wide cab automatic are rated at 110kW and 420Nm (N04C-US).

Standard cab has the choice of five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while the wide cab auto also has a six-speed transmission.

HINO 5.1-LITRE COMMON-RAIL DIESEL

The 5.1 litre inline four cylinder Hino J05E engines used in the High Horsepower 300 Series trucks produce the most power in their class, without sacrificing fuel efficiency or emissions.

The J05E-UH engine, tuned for compatibility with the 300 Series 920 manual transmission variant, delivers 189Hp (139kW) and 510Nm of torque. With an extremely flat torque curve and from low engine speeds it provides maximum engine torque from 1500rpm all the way through to 2600rpm.

The class leading J05E-UJ engine used in the 300 Series 921 automatic transmission model generates a massive 205Hp (151kW) at 2,600rpm and 600Nm of torque from 1500rpm.

J05E engines achieve Euro 5 emissions compliance along with power and efficiency through the use of the latest generation Hino common-rail fuel injection, Variable Nozzle Turbocharger (VNT) technology and a Hino Diesel Particulate active Reduction system (DPR). All proven technology, to deliver a class leading 300 Series engine.

Hino 300 High Horsepower models come with a column stalk operated exhaust brake as standard. Both engines use an overhead cam shaft with four valves per cylinder for efficient breathing. They also use an under square bore and stroke of 112 x 130mm providing a low revving maximum torque engine to meet the demands of any customers’ needs.

HINO 4.0-LITRE DIESEL-ELECTRIC HYBRID

Hino is the global leader in hybrid technology for commercial vehicles, having released the first ever hybrid commercial vehicle in Australia in 2007.

Since then, Hino’s diesel-electric hybrid system has gone from strength to strength – the current model is now available on eight models within the Hino 300 Series light duty truck range; all of which include the same features available on the standard models.

Hybrid motoring is engineered to combine the power and torque benefits of a traditional internal combustion engine, with the fuel-saving and zero emissions properties of an electric motor.

As a result, the Hino 300 Hybrid can reduce emissions by up to 25 per cent – meaning it easily meets Euro 5 and Enhanced Environmentally-Friendly Vehicle (EEV) emissions.

The hybrid system combines Hino’s 4.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel engine (110kW rating) with an electric motor capable of producing an 36kW, a forceful 333Nm of torque from idle.

By combining the inherently powerful, yet fuel efficient turbo-diesel engine with the torque-heavy, zero emissions electric motor, the hybrid is able to achieve remarkable fuel consumption.

The electric motor takes over the drive function primarily in the lower rev ranges, for example in initial acceleration and at lower speeds, allowing the diesel engine to resume the drive function once the vehicle is up and moving in its most efficient range.

These acceleration characteristics, combined with the start-stop function (which sees the vehicle automatically turn off when the vehicle comes to a standstill, before re-starting on its own when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal), see the Hybrid as being a perfect vehicle for inner-city or heavy traffic.

In addition, the regenerative braking system disengages the clutch while the truck decelerates, allowing the vehicle to transfer kinetic energy from the wheels to the motor, which converts it to electricity and stores it in the HV battery for later use.

A new range-topping Levorg 2.0 STI Sport, with a suite of factory-fitted Subaru Tecnica International accessories and styling additions – including maroon leather-trim seats and the option of the signature WR Blue colour

Subtle cosmetic changes to Levorg’s front add to its stylish road presence, aided by newly-designed LED headlights and higher quality LED fog lights.

Subaru Australia Managing Director, Colin Christie, said: “Levorg has opened up a whole new performance niche for Subaru since we launched just over a year ago.

“We can now see even greater opportunity with the addition of two 1.6-litre turbo variants that will make this fun, flexible wagon available to an even greater cross-section of customers.

“Equally, by adding the prestige of the STI badge to the range-topping 2.0 STI Sport, we’re catering to customer demand for something even more exclusive at the top of the range – so the freshened MY18 line-up represents a significant opportunity for us.”

As with the entire Subaru new car range, every Levorg has an independent five-star rating for occupant safety from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

NEW 1.6-LITRE TURBOCHARGED ENGINE

Entry-level Levorgs offer the 1.6-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder Boxer engine, which has never previously been available on any Australian Subaru.

Producing 125 Kilowatts of power at 4,800-5,600 rpm and 250 Newtonmetres of torque at 1800-4800 rpm, the compact unit offers even greater fuel efficiency within the expanded Levorg range.

Each cylinder has a four-valve Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) valvetrain and Active Valve Control System (AVCS).

It consumes 7.4 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the combined cycle.

As with the 2.0-litre variants, it is mated to an efficient Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

SMART REARVIEW MIRROR (SRM) – 1.6 GT Premium, 2.0 GT-S, 2.0 STI Sport
The SRM offers better rear visibility. Images of the area behind the car are taken by a camera mounted inside and above the rear gate glass, and displayed in the rearview mirror.
It is particularly effective when the standard rearview mirror provides poor visibility in fluctuating light conditions, such as evening or at night; or if passengers or cargo are obscuring the view.
Two modes are available:

Mirror Mode is used as an ordinary mirror, without displaying images from the rear camera.

Display Mode is used for displaying images from the rear camera.

SRM modes are activated using a switch at the bottom of the mirror.

FRONT VIEW MONITOR (FVM) 1.6 GT Premium, 2.0GT-S, 2.0 STI Sport

The FVM helps prevent collisions at intersections, or when parking close to walls or other objects.

Images from a camera mounted at the front of the vehicle can be shown on the Multi- Function Display, to check for approaching vehicles, or pedestrians, at intersections with poor visibility; or other scenarios.

It helps the driver check for blind spots in front of the car, which can help avoid accidents occurring at intersections.SUSPENSION
The Bilstein front and rear suspension in Levorg 1.6 GT Premium, 2.0 GT-S and 2.0 STI Sport is enhanced from the superseded model year for smoother ride comfort, while retaining sporty capabilities.

Both the front and rear suspension configurations are changed for better flat ride comfort with minimal pitching.

The changes help absorb even the smallest bumps and subtle changes in the road
surface, for superior ride comfort.

The result is a more consistent, comfortable ride in all situations.

Front suspension changes:

Front arm rubber bush plate

Spring constant of coils

Damping force

Rebound length

Rear suspension changes:

Spring constant of coils

Damping force

Rebound length

Diameter of rear stabilizers

AUTO VEHICLE HOLD (AVH)

Another debut feature for Subaru, AVH alleviates driver fatigue by holding the vehicle in position, even when releasing the brake pedal when stopped.

This means drivers no longer have to keep their foot on the brake pedal in situations like traffic congestion, traffic lights or when stopped on hills.

Newly developed brake pads in Levorg 2.0-litre variants are used with a high friction coefficient material.

This material improves brake efficiency by approximately 20% compared to the superseded pads – giving drivers control of immense braking power with minimal effort, to help improve braking performance.

LOAD CARRYING CONVENIENCE

A significant number of Levorg customers lead active lifestyles that involve skiing, surfing and other outdoor activities, so a greater number of seat configuration options are added to enhance rear seat and cargo space usability.

Levorg is Subaru’s first model with a 40/20/40 split-fold rear seat. The new layout is particularly suited to loading long items. Even with two passengers seated in the rear, the centre seat can be folded, enabling equipment such as skis to be positioned from the cargo space.

With three passengers and sizable cargo, the rear seat passenger can sit on either side of the car.

As an additional safety measure, the Levorg is also the first Subaru to use oil dampers within the seats, limiting the speed at which seats fold, to prevent users from trapping their fingers.

The reclining function and one-touch folding function are retained too.

The centre seat is designed so there is no step to the cargo space when folded down.

MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY (MFD)

The larger 5.9-inch MFD located in the centre dashboard offers a wide variety of information including:

*Prices are Subaru (Aust) Pty Limited’s Manufacturer’s List Prices only and include GST on the list price but exclude dealer delivery charges and all other government and statutory charges. For the drive away price of Subaru vehicles consumers should be advised to contact their local authorised Subaru dealer.

**Power increase, better economy for new petrol engine**
**New manual and CVT transmissions**
**Hybrid variants across the range**Toyota’s next-generation Corolla hatch will gain a substantial boost to performance with the introduction of an advanced new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.With an increase in engine capacity of 10.5 per cent, the new engine adopts Toyota’s latest combustion and control technologies to lift maximum power by 21.4 per cent to 125kW while peak torque has gained approximately 15.6 per cent to 200Nm.

While torque is higher at all engine speeds, two new transmissions contribute to improved fuel efficiency.

A new six-speed intelligent manual transmission is available with rev-matching on downshifts. The new gearbox is lighter and shorter, making it one of the world’s smallest transmissions, which contributes to improved fuel efficiency.

The engine will also be available with an all-new Dynamic-Shift CVT with 10 programmed shifts as well as a sport mode and paddle shifters.

Its innovations include the world’s first launch gear in a passenger vehicle CVT, resulting in powerful and predictable acceleration.

New Corolla hatch, due in Australian showrooms from August, benefits from a new platform that underpins its sportier, more athletic design and a more engaging drive with improved handling and ride comfort.

The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform delivers a low centre of gravity, improved front-to-rear weight balance and body rigidity that has been improved by 60 per cent.

The new range will be offered with hybrid variants across all equipment grades, expanding the line-up from the current model’s single hybrid variant.

The hybrid system is an improved version of the 1.8-litre Atkinson Cycle powertrain in Prius and will rival its sibling’s excellent fuel economy.

Comprehensive standard safety technologies in the new Corolla hatch include the latest pre-collision system with pedestrian detection* and autonomous emergency braking.

This system is able to detect vehicles or pedestrians at night as well as during the day, and it can also detect cyclists during the day.*

Other new technologies include Lane Tracing Assist** – a hands-on, driver-assist system that reduces driver burden and supports safe driving, especially in traffic congestion or long highway trips.

A new Road Sign Assist** will offer the ability to identify certain stop, give way, do not enter and speed limit signs. The safety package extends to active cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beam, seven airbags and a reversing camera.

New Corolla will offer leading-edge technologies and features, starting with LED headlamps, an upgraded multimedia system and an electric park brake.

Toyota’s vice president sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the new Corolla is a premium, high-quality hatch focused on performance and technology.

“Corolla will remain very competitive and affordable in the Australian market – and we expect it to continue as Australia’s best-selling car, a position it has held for each of the past five years,” Mr Hanley said.

“With its sharp design, increased safety, new petrol engine and transmissions, improved hybrid drive, larger interior and great new features, Corolla will continue to be the car of choice for a broad cross-section of the motoring public,” he said.

Corolla is Toyota’s most popular model in Australia with a cumulative total of 1.4 million sales representing more than one-fifth of all Toyota vehicles sold in this country.

…ends/

* Pre-Collision Safety system with Pedestrian Detection is a driver assist feature only and not a substitute for safe driving practices. Driver remains responsible at all times for safe driving. Pedestrians may not be detected in certain conditions including low and harsh light, where partially obstructed from view, where clothing or movement obscures or effects body contours, persons under 1 metre or over 2 metres tall and where carrying or pushing large objects.
** Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist is a driver assist feature only, designed to operate when certain technical conditions are met and is not a substitute for safe driving practices. Driver remains responsible at all times for safe driving.
^ Current navigation mapping database encompasses major capital and primary national road networks and offers some coverage in regional areas.

Representing the most significant generational change to a Volkswagen since the arrival of the class-leading Tiguan SUV almost two years ago, the sixth generation Polo redefines its segment being more sizable than a Golf of Mark 4 (1998) vintage yet priced significantly below the current Mark 7.5 Golf.

Being built on Volkswagen’s exceptionally modular MQB platform (which serves in its various sizes vehicles as varied as the Golf and the forthcoming Tiguan Allspace seven seat SUV), the Polo 6 is ostensibly a city car that boasts a greater luggage capacity at 351 litres than rival brand vehicles from the next segment up such as Mazda3, Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza.

Despite having grown out of its class, the Polo 6’s new three-cylinder turbo petrol engine ensures that it retains performance and efficiency comparable to the much smaller outgoing Polo, which won Australia’s major car of the year awards on its release in 2010.
Rivals of the Polo continue to offer obsolete naturally aspirated engines and four speed automatics &ndash; to say nothing of plastic steering wheels.

“Even the entry level manual Polo 6 features the Golf’s elegant, flat bottomed leather wheel with multi-media controls,” says Ben Wilks, Volkswagen Australia’s
General Manager of Product and Marketing.
“That literal touchpoint is emblematic of the Polo having graduated from its class not only in terms of physical growth, but in sophistication. The Polo 6 is obviously more up-market than rival cars. We’re talking less than $18K for fixtures such as a soft-touch dash top, wide touch screen and dual USB
charging ports. Apple Car Play and Android Auto remain standard.

“In terms of safety there’s autonomous emergency braking, six airbags, stability control and fatigue monitoring and reversing camera as standard.”
Initially, the Polo 6 comes in Trendline or Comfortline specification (with different tunes of the 1.0-litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine) plus a limited run
Launch Edition.

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited by Central Coast Mazda to come up and test drive and review the brand new 2017 Mazda MX5 RF model. I jumped at the chance as I have been dying to drive the RF since it release last year.

So I picked it up at Central Coast Mazda in Gosford and headed straight down the Old Pacific Highway to Brooklyn to give this little MX5 a good run to get a feel for it before I hooked up the cameras and did the review, and I was very pleasantly surprised.

Being an MX5 fan myself, and owning a 2003 MX5 now, I already knew and loved the principle of Slow Car Fast, and running a low powered engine in a light weight car for thrills and fun.

Climbing into the MX5, as always, is low and tight. Im 177cm and 100kg, and its a snug, but comfortable fit for me. If you are smaller you will have no issues, but if you are larger in height or weight, I would recommend you test drive the car before getting your hopes up too high.

Although the MX5 RF was snug, it was super comfortable too, leather upholstery and nice touch switch gear too, gives the impression of a much more expensive vehicle.

My second concern was power. My 2003 NB MX5 is a great little car, but torque is poor. This new 2017 Mazda MX5 RF, running the 2.0L Skyactive motor packs a punch. Its never going too be V8 FUN, but for what the Mazda needs, its just perfect.

2.0 litre Skyactiv-G

Max Power 118kW @ 6,000 rpm

Max Torque 200Nm @ 4,600 rpm

The wind noise was noticeable but not obtrusive, with the roof up there was a little wind noise just behind my head, with the roof down some minor buffeting but nothing you wouldn’t expect.

All in all this little car ticks all the boxes for me, FUN, affordable and comfortable.

In August this year we picked up our brand new Mazda CX5 2017 model. We had been waiting for the mid model upgrade and when it happened we jumped at the chancento buy one.

Once the order was placed it took about a month for delivery, and in this case we also ordered paint protection.

Upon picking up the new car, Sutherland Mazda had the car ready to go with a big red bow on it. The dealer spent almost an hour with my wife and I teaching us all about the car, all of its systems and setting up all the electronic functions that these modern vehicles have.

Once driving away in our brand new CX5, we noticed a strong burning smell, much like burning brakes, but we were asurred that everything was normal.

A month into owning this car, we are still super happy. It has ticked all the boxes that we wanted. Comfort. Luxury. Height. Gadgets.

If you are thinking about the Mazda CX5 GT, be su re to head down to your local Mazda dealer and take one for a test drive.